Food processor with a mixing vessel and a drive mechanism for an agitator in the mixing vessel

ABSTRACT

The invention concerns a food processor (1) with a mixing vessel (6) and a drive mechanism (8) for an agitator (10) in the mixing vessel (6), the lower region of which can be heated. As an improvement on a food processor (1) of this type, it is proposed that a weighing device (16) should be provided and that the weighing device (16) should determine the weight of a mixing pot support (7) including a heating unit (40).

FIELD AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a food processor comprising a mixing vessel anda drive mechanism for an agitator in the mixing vessel, the mixingvessel being heatable in its lower region.

A food processor of this kind is known from EP-A 0561259. There is inquestion here a food processor for the processing of foodstuffs, whichhas a weighing device with a force-absorbing element, by which weighingdevice there may be determined and displayed the weight of foodstuffpresent in a mixing vessel. In the weighing operation, the mixing vesselis carried by the force-absorbing element, which, for its part, isconnected to a pedestal for the unit. Between the force-absorbingelement and the mixing vessel, there are provided bearing elementsdisplaceable vertically against the force of a biased spring. The mixingvessel, when weighing, lies loose on the bearing elements, and islockable to the pedestal of the unit for the purpose of operation of thefood processor. The force-absorbing element comprises a weighing beamsecured to the pedestal for the unit, with, fixed to the weighing beam,strain gauges whose signal is evaluated and displayed by an electroniccircuit.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is the task of the present invention to provide a food processor ofthis type in advantageous manner.

As a result of the arrangement of the invention, there is provided anadvantageous development of the subject matter of the invention. This issolved in that a weighing device is provided and that the weighingdevice records the weight of a mixing bowl support, including a heatingunit. The food processor has a mixing bowl support which, in operationof the food processor, holds the mixing vessel frictionally. This mixingbowl support is encompassed by a heating unit, in particular by aresistance heating wire or the like, for heating of the lower region ofthe mixing vessel. The weighing device records, according to theinvention, the weight of the mixing bowl support, including the heatingunit encompassing the latter, and of the mixing vessel. To display theweight, there may be provided a digital display located in the unithousing. After switching on of the food processor, this digital displayfirst displays a tare point. An electronic circuit is correspondingly soarranged that a weight display is only effected after depression of acorresponding button, after which zero grams is first displayed. Furtherweighing can now be done, wherein it is proposed, according to theinvention, that weighing may take place, in one weighing step, up to 2.5kg, and in total, up to 7.5 kg. For this purpose, it may be providedthat the weight display is fitted with a reset button, in order, afterfilling of foodstuffs or the like into the mixing vessel, the weightdisplay may again be set to zero. In a preferred embodiment of thesubject matter of the invention, it is provided that the weighing devicesupports the parts to be weighed by means of a three-point bearing. Theweighing device records, accordingly, the weight of the mixing bowlsupport, including the heating unit encompassing the latter, and that ofthe mixing vessel, by means of three bearing points.

It is thus proposed that the bearing points are each associated with endregions of the weighing device. For example, the weighing device may beformed in such a way that it has three arms, in whose end regions thereare located the respective bearing points. In order to intercept, as faras possible any vibrations which may be caused by the agitator drivemechanism, it is further proposed that the bearing points are eachfitted with a damping element. These damping elements may, for example,be rubber buffers, by means of which the subassemblies to be mounted aresecured to the weighing housing. Advantageously, it is provided that theweighing device records the weight of the drive mechanism. The drivemechanism for the agitator in the mixing vessel is, in a preferredembodiment, an electric motor, which drives the mixing vessel by meansof a toothed belt or the like. In addition to the weights of the mixingvessel and of the mixing bowl support, it may also be provided that theweight of the drive mechanism is likewise recorded by the weighingdevice. Also this own weight of the drive mechanism is allowed for inthe weight display, so that after switching on of the food processor,there is first displayed the tare point. Furthermore, it is proposedthat a weighing beam is provided and that the weighing beam is alignedalong an axial elongate extent between the agitator and the drivemechanism. A weighing beam of this kind may be constructed in knownmanner and provided with strain gauges. The signals of the strain gaugesare evaluated by an electronic circuit and brought to the display.Preferred is an embodiment in which the weighing beam is provided with acapacitive measurement sensor, the distance between two capacitor platesthus changing with change in weight.

Because of the arrangement of the weighing beam along an axial elongateextent between the agitator and the drive mechanism, tipping forces inthe region of the weighing beam are kept very slight. It provesespecially advantageous in this for the mixing bowl to be of oval shapein plan view and for the weighing beam to be aligned along the greateraxis in plan view. The oval shape of the mixing vessel in plan view isso dimensioned here, for example, that a ratio of lesser axis to thegreater axis amounts to approximately 1:1.2 to 1:1.5. Also, in thisconnection, because of the alignment of the weighing beam along thegreater axis in plan view, the tipping forces are kept relativelyslight. The greater axis in plan view of the mixing vessel coincides,furthermore, with the axial elongate direction between the agitator andthe drive mechanism. In advantageous manner, it is provided that theweighing beam is accommodated in a weighing housing having a horizontaldivision. By soiling, such as fat deposits for example, on the weighingbeam, the weight indications may be misrepresented. To counteract this,the weighing beam is accommodated in a weighing housing, by virtue ofwhich the weighing beam is protected against soiling. The weighinghousing has a horizontal division and is preferably formed divided intwo. For this purpose, it is proposed that the weighing housing has anupper and a lower portion, which two housing portions are joinedtogether only by means of the weighing beam. To protect the lower andthe upper housing portion and also the weighing beam fromnon-permissible deformation, it is proposed that an upper portion of theweighing housing is held captive on a lower portion by means of a stopsafety feature effective in both directions. This stop safety featuremay be provided in the form of adjustable limit stops, which arepositioned near the bearing points.

This stop safety feature acts in tensile as well as in compressivedirection. In an advantageous development, it is provided that theweighing housing is T-shaped in plan view. It is advantageous in thisfor the two T-beams to run at an acute angle to one another. Proposed inthis connection is an arrangement in which, along the greater axis inplan view of the mixing vessel or along the axial elongate directionbetween the agitator and the drive mechanism, there is provided a longerarm, accommodating the weighing beam, from which arm, proceedingapproximately from its middle, there extends a shorter arm, for exampleperpendicularly to the longer arm. Here also there is provided ahorizontal division, which is defined by a lower and an upper portion ofthe housing, each housing portion being correspondingly T-shaped in planview. The upper portion and the lower portion of the housing are eachidentically formed. Furthermore, it is proposed to form the surface inplan view of an upper portion in such a way that a surfacecentre-of-gravity lies in the region of the weighing beam, preferably ina point of intersection of a weighing-beam longitudinal axis with anaxis aligned perpendicular to the longer arm and pointing in thedirection of the shorter arm. Furthermore, it is proposed that the twoT-beams of the weighing housing extend at an acute angle to one another.In this connection, an embodiment is preferred in which the short arm ofthe housing is at an angle of approximately 70° -75°, preferably 73°, tothe long arm. However, there is also conceivable an embodiment in whichthe angle enclosed is 90°. The short arm, accordingly, is thenperpendicular to the longer arm. In a further embodiment, it is providedthat an arm of the T-shaped weighing housing is formed wedge-shaped.

This wedge-shaped arm is preferably the shorter arm of the weighinghousing. For this purpose, it is furthermore proposed that the wedgeshape of the one arm is defined by the projection of two arms of thelower portion and of the upper portion, these portions being themselvesangled and handle-shaped. Preferably, the handle-shaped angled arm isthe shorter arm of the housing, which is at an acute angle ofapproximately 73° to the long arm. When the two housing portions are, asalready mentioned, identically formed, there is defined, by thearrangement one upon the other of the two housing portions and the shortarms angled therewith in mirrored directions, the aforementioned wedgeshape. Because of this arrangement, there is achieved an increasedstability of the short arm. As mentioned, an embodiment of the weighinghousing is preferred in which the upper portion and the lower portionare formed, at least with regard to their outer contours, to beidentical in shape. Furthermore, it proves especially advantageous forthe mixing bowl support and the drive mechanism to be located togetheron a chassis and for the chassis to act upon the weighing housing. Thechassis has, preferably, a longitudinal extent along the axial elongatedirection between the agitator and the drive mechanism or along thegreater axis in plan view of the mixing vessel. On this chassis thereare located, in one end region, the drive mechanism and, in the otherend region, the mixing bowl support, including the heating unit. Thiscomplete assembly acts upon the weighing housing, here also the ownweight of the chassis being allowed for in the determination of weight.Finally, it is proposed that the chassis acts upon the weighing housingby means of three bearing points located in end regions of the T-shapein plan view of the weighing housing. The bearing points are provided,accordingly, in the respective end regions of the longer arm alignedalong the axial elongate extent between the agitator and the drivemechanism, and in the end region, for example, of the shorter armdisposed perpendicular to the longer arm.

Here also there is preferred a use of damping members, which arepositioned between the chassis and the weighing housing, in the regionof the bearing points. These damping members may be formed, for example,as rubber buffers. This dampened three-point bearing effects an optimumdetermination of weight and is also of advantage for the entirevibrational behaviour of the chassis on the weighing housing. On accountof the large distances between the three points of the bearing, there isachieved a slight inclination of the chassis on the weighing housing.The distances of the bearing points from one another and, therefore,also the lengths of the longer arm and the shorter arm are, inadvantageous manner, dimensioned in such a way that the bearing pointsdefine the corner points of an almost right-angled triangle, imaginaryconnecting lines between the bearing points of the shorter arm and thebearing points of the longer arm being at an angle which amounts toapproximately 90° to 94°, preferably approximately 92°.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 shows a food processor with a mixing vessel, according to theinvention, in side view,

FIG. 2 shows the food processor in front view,

FIG. 3 shows the food processor in plan view,

FIG. 4 shows a weighing device of the food processor in plan view, as adetail representation, relating to a first embodiment,

FIG. 5 shows a side view of the weighing device according to FIG. 4,

FIG. 6 shows the front view of the weighing device,

FIG. 7 shows the weighing device according to FIG. 4, likewise in planview, but after removal of a housing upper portion,

FIG. 8 shows the section according to the Line VIII--VIII in FIG. 4,

FIG. 9 shows the plan view onto a chassis with the location of theweighing device represented in chain-dot outline,

FIG. 10 shows the chassis according to FIG. 9 in side view with weighinghousing represented in chain-dot outline, located under the chassis,

FIG. 11 shows the front view of chassis and weighing housing accordingto FIG. 9, the weighing housing being represented in chain-dot outline,

FIG. 12 shows the section according to the Line XII--XII in FIG. 9,

FIG. 13 shows the section according to the Line XIII--XIII in FIG. 9,

FIG. 14 shows a representation corresponding to FIG. 4, but relating toa second embodiment of the weighing device,

FIG. 15 shows a representation corresponding to FIG. 7, likewiserelating to the second embodiment,

FIG. 16 shows the section according to the Line XVI--XVI in FIG. 15,

FIG. 17 shows a selective enlargement from FIG. 16, representing a stopsafety feature between the two housing portions, and

FIG. 18 shows a further selective enlargement from FIG. 16, showing abearing point of a chassis represented in chain-dot outline on theweighing housing.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The food processor represented in FIGS. 1 to 3 has a housing 2 in whichthere are provided two rotary switches 3, 4. The housing 2 has,furthermore, feet 5 on the underside and, on the rear side, anelectrical cable connection 14.

For the purpose of mounting a mixing vessel 6 in the food processor 1,the latter is provided with a support 7. A drive mechanism 8 located inthe housing 2, for example in the form of an electric motor, drives, bymeans of a non-represented toothed belt or the like and by means of adrive shaft 9 aligned vertically, coaxially with a vertical axis z ofthe food processor 1, an agitator 10 disposed within the mixing vessel6, in the base region, which agitator is power-connected, by means of acoupling arrangement, to the drive shaft 9. The speed of the agitator 10is adjusted by means of the rotary switch 4.

The mixing vessel 6 is formed to be oval in its upper, open region,there being provided, in elongation of the greater axis x in plan view,a spout 11 projecting beyond the edge of the mixing vessel 6. The spout11 points, with mixing vessel 6 inserted in the housing 2, in thedirection of the housing portion provided with the rotary switches 3, 4.At the end of the greater axis x lying opposite the spout 11, the mixingvessel 6 is provided with a jug handle 12. This jug handle 12 extendsover the entire height of the mixing vessel 6.

The space defined in the mixing vessel 6 is covered by a vessel cover13. This vessel cover 13 sits to the greatest possible extent in apositively and radially sealing manner on the upper edge of the mixingvessel 6.

As is to be recognised from FIG. 3, the oval plan of the mixing vessel6, in particular the projection of the upper region of the mixing vessel6, has a ratio of greater axis x to lesser axis y of approximately1.2:1. The point of intersection S of the two axes x and y in the upperregion of the mixing vessel 6 is displaced from the vertical z axisalong the x axis in the direction of the spout 11, namely, in theembodiment shown, by approximately 3 to 4 mm. Because of thisarrangement, there is effected, with increasing filling of the mixingvessel 6, a displacement of the centre of gravity along the x axis inthe direction of the spout 11.

In the region of the support 7, there is provided a heater enclosing thelatter, in the form of a resistance heating wire, by means of which thelower region of the mixing vessel 6 may be heated.

In the housing 2, there is furthermore provided a chassis 15, which issupported on a weighing device 16. The weighing device 16 is located,here, on a housing base 17.

The chassis 15 is represented in detail in FIGS. 9 to 13. From the planview in FIG. 9, it is to be seen that the chassis 15 is longitudinallyextended in plan view, there being provided, in an end region, aplate-shaped support base 18 for the mixing vessel 6. The support base18 is formed to be circular and has a bowl-like cross-section (compareFIGS. 12 and 13). In the end region lying opposite the support base 18,there is provided a mounting base 19 on which the drive mechanism 8 islocated.

The longitudinal axis u of the chassis in plan view runs through thecentre point of the support base 18 and through the mounting base 19. Inthe centre of the support base 18, there is provided a circular opening20 for the passage of the drive shaft 9.

perpendicular to the longitudinal u axis, there is moulded onto thechassis 15, approximately centrally in relation to the longitudinalextent of the chassis 15, a bracket arm 21. This bracket arm 21 has, atits free projecting end, a downwardly-directed supporting foot 22,formed to be frusto-conical in shape.

On the side of the longitudinal u axis directed away from the bracketarm 21, there are provided, spaced apart from that axis, two further,likewise downwardly-directed, frusto-conically shaped supporting feet 23and 24, located respectively at the ends of the chassis 15.

The first embodiment of a weighing device 16, represented in FIGS. 4 to8, is T-shaped in plan view and comprises, substantially, an upperportion 25 and a lower portion 26, each correspondingly formed in planview. The upper portion 25 has, at the outside edge, a circumferential,downwardly-directed upper-portion wall 27. Correspondingly, the lowerportion 26 has an upwardly-directed lower-portion wall 28. The weighingspace defined between upper portion 25 and lower portion 26 is indicatedby the reference number 29.

As is to be seen in particular from FIGS. 4 to 6, upper portion 25 andlower portion 26 are identically formed. This arrangement offers, withregard to production, the advantage that, to form a weighing housing 37,only two identically formed housing portions need to be produced, and,after turning one portion about the horizontal axis, placed one upon theother. The housing portions produced are thus useable both as upperportion 25 and as lower portion 26.

The longer arm 30 extending in the direction of the longitudinal u axisis aligned to correspond to the longitudinal extent of the chassis 15,the dimension of the length of the arm 30 being less than the dimensionof the longitudinal extent of the chassis 15. However, the long arm 30is so dimensioned that the centres of the support base 18 and of themounting base 19 of the chassis 15 and, therefore, the centres ofgravity of the drive mechanism 8 and of the mixing vessel 6 with thesupport 7 lie in the region of the weighing device 16. The width, i.e.the extent perpendicular to the longitudinal u axis, amounts toapproximately one third of the length of the long arm 30.

Centrally in the longitudinal extent of the weighing device 16, thelatter has a weighing arm 31 which is at an acute angle beta to thelongitudinal u axis, the angle beta, in the embodiment shown, amountingto 90°. The distance from the longitudinal u axis to the free end of theweighing arm 31 corresponds to that between the longitudinal u axis andthe free end of the chassis bracket arm 21. Also, the width of theweighing arm 31 is matched to that of the bracket arm 21 of the chassis15, so that on disposition of weighing device 16 and chassis 15 one uponthe other, there results almost an overlapping of bracket arm 21 andweighing arm 31.

In the weighing space 29, there is provided a weighing beam 32 which isaligned along the longitudinal u axis. This weighing beam 32 is providedwith non-represented strain gauges.

Upper portion 25 and lower portion 26 of the weighing device 16 arejoined to one another by means of the weighing beam 32, the upperportion 25 being held captive on the lower portion 26 by means ofnon-represented stop safety features. The lower portion 26 is firmlyanchored to the housing base 17.

The surface of the upper portion 25 in plan view is advantageouslyformed in such a way that a surface centre-of-gravity S liesapproximately in the point of intersection of a weighing-beamlongitudinal axis a with a weighing extension-arm longitudinal axis b,which is aligned perpendicular to the longitudinal axis c of the longarm 30.

Furthermore, the weighing device 16 has a plug-type lug 33, onto whichthere is pushed a cable 35 provided with a cable terminal 34. The powersupply of the weighing device 16 and the routing of the measured data toan electronic evaluating circuit is effected by means of a cable loom36.

The chassis 15 is located on the weighing device 16 in such a way thatthe supporting feet 22 to 24 are supported on corresponding bearingpoints A1 to A3 by means of non-represented damping elements in the formof rubber buffers, by virtue of which the chassis 15 acts upon theweighing housing 37 by means of these three bearing points A1 to A3located in the end regions of the T-plan of the weighing housing 37defined by the upper portion 25 and the lower portion 26. The bearingpoints A1 and A2, which are impinged upon by the supporting feet 23 and24, are located in the end regions of the long arm 30 at a spacing fromthe longitudinal u axis. On the upper side of the projecting weighingarm 31, there is provided the bearing point A3 corresponding to thesupporting foot 22.

The spacings between the supporting points A1 to A3 with respect to oneanother and, therefore, also the lengths of long arm 30 and weighing arm31, are so dimensioned that the bearing points A1 to A3 define thecorner points of an almost right-angled triangle, the imaginaryconnecting lines between the bracket arm bearing point A3 and thebearing points A1 and A2 being at an angle alpha to one another. Thisangle alpha amounts to approximately 90° to 94°, preferablyapproximately 92°.

The weighing beam 32 is, as already mentioned, aligned along thelongitudinal u axis and along the corresponding axis, in the installedcondition, between the agitator 10 and the drive mechanism 8 and alongthe greater axis x of the mixing vessel 6 in plan view. The own weightsof drive mechanism 8, support 7, of the heater 40 and of the mixingvessel 6 act constantly upon the weighing device 16 and on the weighingbeam 32. This is allowed for in an electronic circuit, which is soarranged that the weight is only displayed by means of a digital display38 when, in addition to their own weight, further weights are added.When, accordingly, the food processor 1 is switched on, the digitaldisplay 38 displays a tare point. If a weight display is desired, areset button 39 is pressed, after which, in the digital display, zerograms is shown. Only after filling ingredients into the mixing vessel 6does this weight act additionally on the weighing device 16, whichincrease in weight is displayed. In this connection, there exists thepossibility of setting, at any time, the digital display 38 to zerograms by means of the reset button 39, in order to facilitate a furtherweighing. In this connection, there may be further weighed up to 2.5 kgin a weighing step, and in total, up to 7.5 kg. An electronic blockingapparatus effects, in this, that a weighing is permitted only onstandstill of the agitator 10.

As already mentioned, there is effected, by the oval, partiallyeccentric arrangement of the mixing vessel, a displacement of the centreof gravity, with increasing filling, along the x and u axes.

Because of the alignment of the weighing beam 32 along this direction ofdisplacement of the centre of gravity, there is constantly provided acorrect measurement of weight. Furthermore, by this alignment of theweighing beam 33, any tipping forces are kept very small.

In FIGS. 14 to 18, there is represented a second embodiment of theweighing device 16. As is to be recognised in particular from FIG. 14,there is provided, also in this embodiment, a longer arm 30 extendingparallel to the longitudinal u axis. This arm 30 is dimensioned, here,in such a way that the centres of the support base 18 and of themounting base 19 of the chassis 15 represented in chain-dot outline and,therefore, the centres of gravity of the drive mechanism 8 and of themixing vessel 6 with the support 7 lie in the region of the weighingdevice 16.

The weighing housing 37 is likewise defined by an upper portion 25 and alower portion 26, with formation of a weighing space 29. The upperportion 25 has, proceeding from the long arm 30, at an acute angle beta'of approximately 70° to 75°, preferably 73°, a short arm 31'.

The lower portion 26 is --corresponding to the first embodiment--formedidentically to the upper portion 25, but turned about a horizontal axis,so that by the arrangement, one upon the other, of an upper and a lowerportion, there is formed the weighing housing 37. Correspondingly, thelower portion 26 also has a short arm 31" at an acute angle beta" to thelong arm 30. In arrangement, one upon the other, of lower and upperportion, the two short arms 31' and 31" define a wedge-shape-formedweighing arm 31, the free ends of both short arms 31' and 31" enteringinto position one upon the other to form the bearing point A3. Aweighing arm axis b, which, proceeding from the bearing point A3,extends perpendicular to the longitudinal axis c of the long arm 30,defines, in this connection, an axis of symmetry for the entire weighinghousing 37. Accordingly, this weighing arm axis b is alignedcorrespondingly centrally-between the two bearing points A1 and A2located on the long arm 30.

Corresponding to the first embodiment, the spacings between the bearingpoints A1 to A3 with respect to one another and, therefore, also thelengths of the long arm 30 and of the short arms 31' and 31" are sodimensioned that the bearing points A1 to A3 define the corner points ofan almost right-angled triangle. Here also, the angle alpha amounts toapproximately 90° to 940°, preferably approximately 92°.

Furthermore, the weighing housing 37 is constructed, also in thisembodiment, so that a surface centre-of-gravity point S of the upperportion 25 lies approximately in the point of intersection of theweighing-beam longitudinal axis a with the weighing arm axis b (compareFIG. 14).

Lower portion 26 and upper portion 25 are joined to one another only inthe region of the weighing beam 32, in that the upper portion 25 issecured, by means of screws 41, in the region of one end, seen in thedirection of the longitudinal axis a, of the weighing beam 32. Acorresponding securing of the lower portion 26 is effected in the endregion of the weighing beam 32 lying opposite that end, to the undersideof the weighing beam 32.

The weighing beam 32 is provided with a capacitive measurement sensor.In this connection, the spacing between two capacitor plates changeswith a change in weight.

The power supply and routing of measured data is effected, as in thepreviously described embodiment, by means of a cable loom 36.

Near the bearing points A1 to A3, there are provided, in bothperpendicular directions, effective stop safety features 42. For thispurpose, there is provided in each case, fixed on the lower part 26, aset screw 43 penetrating into the weighing space 29. Onto this set screw43, there is screwed a spacing nut 44, whose upwardly-directed, i.e. inthe direction of the upper portion 25, region is tapered incross-section. In the region of the transition to the portion tapered incross-section, there is formed a stop collar 45. The cross-sectionallyreduced region of the spacer nut 44 passes through the upper portion 25in the region of correspondingly located bores 46. An upper stop safetyfeature is formed by a securing ring 47. The upper portion is,accordingly, held captive between-the securing ring 47 and the stopcollar 45, there being provided a play, the dimension of whichcorresponds to approximately twice the wall thickness of the upperportion 25 in this region. These stop safety features 42 serve, on theone hand, as guide elements for the upper portion 25 and, on the otherhand, these stop safety features protect the weighing beam 32 fromnon-permissible deformation. The stop safety features 42 act, as alreadymentioned, in tensile as well as in compressive direction.

The lower portion 26 is secured to the housing base 17 by means of pins48 located on the base, each pin being provided with a thread, forwhich, on the under side, corresponding nuts are screwed onto these pins48.

Corresponding to the first embodiment, the chassis 15 is disposed on theweighing device 16 in such a way that the supporting feet 22 to 24 aresupported on the corresponding bearing points A1 to A3, this supportbeing effected not directly, but rather by means of damping elements 49,which may be provided, for example, in the form of rubber buffers. Thesedamping members are secured in the region of the bearing points A1 to A3by means of the screws 50. The supporting feet 22 to 24 of the chassis15 have corresponding recesses 51, into which the damping members 49enter.

The mode of operation, in particular the display of the weights to beestablished, corresponds to that of the first embodiment.

I claim:
 1. A food processor comprisinga mixing vessel and a drivemechanism for an agitator in the mixing vessel, the mixing vessel beingheatable in its lower region, and a weighing device, and wherein theweighing device senses the weight of a mixing bowl support, including aheater unit.
 2. A food processor according to claim 1, wherein theweighing device support components to be weighed by means of athree-point bearing.
 3. A food processor according to claim 1, whereinbearing points are each associated with end regions of weighing device.4. A food processor according to claim 3, wherein the bearing points areeach fitted with a damping member.
 5. A food processor according toclaim 1, wherein the weighing device records the weight of the drivemechanism.
 6. A food processor according to claim 1, further comprisinga weighing beam, and the weighing beam is aligned along an axialelongated extent between the agitator and the drive mechanism.
 7. A foodprocessor according to claim 6, wherein the mixing vessel is oval inshape in plan view and the weighing beam is aligned along the greateraxis in plan view.
 8. A food processor according to claim 6, wherein theweighing beam is accommodated in a weighing housing having a horizontaldivision.
 9. A food processor according to claim 8, wherein an upperportion of the weighing housing is held captive on a lower portion bymeans of a stop safety effective in both directions.
 10. A foodprocessor according to claim 8, wherein the weighing housing is T-shapedin plan view.
 11. A food processor according to claim 8, wherein twoT-beams of the weighing housing extend at an acute angle to one another.12. A food processor according to claim 10, wherein an arm of theT-shaped weighing housing is formed wedge-shaped.
 13. A food processoraccording to claim 12, wherein a wedge shape of the arm is defined by aprojection of two arms of a lower portion and of an upper portion of theweighing housing, the two arms being angled and handle-shaped.
 14. Afood processor according to claim 13, wherein the upper portion and thelower portion are formed, at least with regard to their outer contours,identical in shape.
 15. A food processor according to claim 1, furthercomprising a chassis and a weighing housing, and wherein the mixing bowlsupport and the drive mechanism are fully located on the chassis, andthe chassis acts upon the weighing housing.
 16. A food processoraccording to claim 15, wherein the chassis acts upon the weighinghousing by means of three bearing points located in end regions of theweighing housing which is T-shaped in plan view.
 17. A food processoraccording to claim 16, further comprising rubber buffers between saidbearing points and said chassis.